Stringed musical instrument



(No Model.)

W. A. TUEBNEE. STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

No. 459,603. Patented Sept. 15, 1891.

Fig l.

\/\/| TNESEEE INVENT EFL- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM A. TUEBNFIE, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,603, datedSeptember 15, 1891.

Application filed March '7, 1891. Serial No. 384,149. (No model.)

To a, whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM A. TUEBNEE, of Baltimore, Maryland, haveinvented certain Improvements in Stringed Musical Instruments, of which.the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improved means for tightening and holding atany required tension the strings of musical instruments, as willhereinafter fully appear.

In the description of the said invention which follows reference is madeto the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and in which-Figure 1 is a top view of a zither to which the present invention isapplied, and Figs. 2 and 3 are details of the invention on an enlargedscale.

Referring to the said drawings, A represents the zither, and a thefret-board thereof.

The strings, which are denoted by b, are fastened at the lower end ofthe instrument in the usual manner.

0 is a flanged plate attached in any suitable manner to the upper end orhead of the zither. This plate is placed so that the edge of theflanges, which are denoted by c, bear on the upper board or face of theinstrument, as shown particularly in Fig. 2, which is an enlargedsection of the upper end of the said instrument. The plate 0 has slots ftherein, one for each string, and they extend lengthwise of theinstrument, as shown in Fig. 1. In each slot is placed a head D,consisting of a threaded nut 9, having a shank 7L, which fits neatly inthe slot and is notched, as shown atj, for the reception of the string,which is looped. (See Fig. 1.) Each head D has a threaded stem F, whichpasses through the outer flange of the plate 0 and enters the inner one.

The inner end of the stem is reduced in diameter, so as to form ashoulder k, and riveted over to prevent its withdrawal. A washer m isinterposed between the shoulder and the flange to increase thewearing-surfaces. The outer end of the stem is made square, so that akey (not shown) may be applied thereto to turn it and thereby draw thestring in tuning. The object of the flanges c of the plate 0 is toprovide a space under the plate for the heads D, and also to furnish asupport for the stems, as will be readily understood.

lVhile I have shown and described the invention as applied to a zither,it is evident that it is equally applicable to other stringed musicalinstruments.

I claim as my invention- 1. As an improvement in musical instruments, aslotted plate, in combination with heads to which the wires or stringsof the instrument are attached, and threaded stems which pass throughthe said heads and which, when turned, move the said headslongitudinally of the said slots, substantially as specified.

2. In a stringed musical instrument, the combination of a slotted platewhich is ap plied to the upper surface of the said instrument, headsadapted to receive the strings, which are interiorly threaded and fittedto be moved longitudinally of the said slots, and threaded stems whichhave no endwise movement, but merely a rotary one, whereby the saidheads are altered in position within the said slots, substantially asand for the purpose specified.

WILLIAM A. TUEBNEE. \Vitnesses:

WM. S. HOWARD, DANL. FISHER.

